Starting out on the King Jammys Superpower sound system in Jamaica, Shabba quickly emerged on the Jamaican and international stages in the late 1980's with a number of fellow artists. These include the British vocalist Maxi Priest; reggae singers Cocoa Tea, Crystal, and Mykal Rose and R&B singer Johnny Gill; in addition to working with luminaries Chuck Berry and American rappers KRS-One and Chubb Rock. His biggest hit non-Jamaican hit was "Mr. Loverman", although in Jamaica and for many reggae lovers, this was not his best work. Other, more appreciated tracks by reggae enthusiasts, include "Respect", "Pirates Anthem", "Trailor Load A Girls", "Wicked in Bed", "Caan Dun", and "Ting A Ling".
He won back-to-back Grammy awards in the Reggae category in 1991 & 1992, the first dancehall deejay to do so. He also
His later reputation was badly damaged by his explicitly homophobic views and lyrics. This was evidenced by a particularly notorious incident on the Channel 4 programme 'The Word' where he appeared to advocate the crucifixion of homosexuals and was condemned for his comments by presenter Mark Lamarr.
Following this episode, and subsequent negative media coverage, his career never fully recovered. He was eventually dropped by his American record label, Epic Records, in 1996. Anti-homosexuality is a common viewpoint in the reggae-dancehall community in Jamaica; Shabba Ranks is not the only artist to have referred to such matters in song. Later reggae artists that have come under criticism for their homophobic views include Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, and Sizzla.
Wicked In Bed is featured on the Reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in popular videogame Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, released in October 2004.
Roots & Culture
Shabba Ranks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Black man know yourself before your back is against the wall
Ah soh yuh stay
Yuh ongle ah tink one way
But I'm not a one way DJ
Coin two side, get that?
Hear dis
Shabba Rankin', reggae people's callin' out
People from east, west, north and south
Say, I'm the MC with the nasty mouth
Dem feel like is pure slackness alone I can talk about
I know me Roots and Culture
Who is the route Robert Nesta?
And Bunny Wailer follow after
It is music, mi charge for
Look how deh world noh stop suffer
What have black people under pressure
Some talk dis and some talk dat
Say everything from Shabba mouth is slack
I love roots and reality straight to the max
Because I'm a article oil abash
I love me Roots and Culture
To teach all deh youngster
Honor your mother and father
So dat yuh days will be longer
Some talk dat and some talk dis
Nuff ah dem ah fight 'gainst slackness lyrics
You have to please, John Public
When you're dealin' with deh, Reggae music
Shabba Rankin', you a murder
And it is music you charge for
Want to be a musical ambassador
Ah goin' teach all yeh youngster
Here dis
Some of dem ah bawl how dem want culture
And some of dem waah people be vulgar
I rather to stick to I culture
Than to be a dirty character
I love me Roots and Culture
I goin' teach all yeh youngster
It's a new page the Ranks turn over
Teach 'em just like a teacher
Make them listen to me like a pastor
Woy yo
Shabba Rankin', reggae people callin' out
People from east, west, north, and south
Say I'm deh MC with deh nasty mouth
Dem feel like is pure slackness alone I can talk about
Know me Roots and Culture
See how black people a suffer
It's what have black people under pressure
Just because we don't stick together
Woy yo
United we stand and divided we fall
Black man know yourself before your back is against the wall
Ten time rise, and ten time fall
Oh, Shabba is stronger then deh great China wall
Know me Roots and Culture
Is a new page me turn over
Mek up mi mind to teach the youngster
Teach the youth dem like a teacher
Make dem listen to the Ranks like a pastor
Some talk dis and some talk dat
Say everyting from me mouth is slack
I love roots and reality straight to the max
Me can't understan' how, black can kill black
I know me Roots and Culture
Who is the root Robert Nesta?
And Bunny Wailer follow after
What about Jacob and Peter
Jimmy the Pioneer in Jamaica
Know about your Roots and yuh Culture
Else you will fade out forever
Live good in your neighborhood
Live good and live good as you should
Shabba Rankin', you a murder
It is music me charge for
Some talk dis and some talk dat
Say everyting from Shabba mouth is slack
I love roots and reality straight from the max
Because I am a article oil abash
Ah, love me Roots and Culture
It's a new page I turn over
Teach the youth dem like a teacher
Make dem listen to the Ranks like a pastor
Come now
See, you just
Jump aroun' if you love culture
You love culture you ah goh free Mandela
Come now
Wine up yuh line if yuh love culture
Tell Shabba to stop being vulgar
Change up mi style and ah change mi order
Have the lyrics now to teach the youngster
The lyrics of Shabba Ranks's song Roots & Culture convey a very important message that urges Black people to unite and understand their roots and culture. The first verse emphasizes the significance of unity as it states that "United we stand and divided we fall," suggesting that they need to stick together to overcome the obstacles that the society throws at them. Shabba Ranks wants Black people to know their roots and culture and urges them to do so before they have their backs against the wall. The second verse emphasizes Ranks's ability to articulate both sides of an argument through his music, urging the audience to understand that good music should touch both sides of the spectrum. Ranks emphasizes that Roots and Culture come from the likes of Robert Nesta, Bunny Wailer, Jacob, Peter, and Jimmy the Pioneer, emphasizing the contributions of his predecessors.
In the bridge section of the song, Ranks emphasizes the importance of living among Black people in the right way. He emphasizes the negative impact that can follow if Black people fail to unite, change their way of thinking, and respect one another. Ranks defines himself as a musical ambassador and teacher, urging his audience to follow him and see their roots and culture in the same light. He emphasizes the need for the youth to listen to him like a pastor and teach them as a teacher, changing their way of thinking into a more positive and respectful mindset.
Line by Line Meaning
United we stand and divided we fall
We are stronger together than we are apart
Black man know yourself before your back is against the wall
Know your worth and your identity before it's too late
Ah soh yuh stay
That's how you are
Yuh ongle ah tink one way
You only think one way
But I'm not a one way DJ
I'm a multi-dimensional DJ
Coin two side, get that?
I have two sides to me, understand?
Shabba Rankin', reggae people's callin' out
The reggae community is calling for Shabba Rankin
People from east, west, north and south
Reggae fans from all over
Say, I'm the MC with the nasty mouth
They say I have a vulgar way of speaking
Dem feel like is pure slackness alone I can talk about
People think all I can talk about is inappropriate things
I know me Roots and Culture
I am knowledgeable about my heritage and traditions
Who is the route Robert Nesta?
Who is the one who paved the way, Robert Nesta (Bob Marley)?
And Bunny Wailer follow after
And Bunny Wailer continued the legacy too
It is music, mi charge for
Music is what I am passionate about
Look how deh world noh stop suffer
Look at how much the world is still struggling
What have black people under pressure
Why are black people still facing so much adversity?
Some talk dis and some talk dat
Some people say this and some people say that
Say everything from Shabba mouth is slack
Some people think everything I say is vulgar
I love roots and reality straight to the max
I am passionate about authentic and real reggae music
Because I'm a article oil abash
Because I am an original, unique character
To teach all deh youngster
To teach the youth
Honor your mother and father
Respect your parents
So dat yuh days will be longer
So you can have a long and happy life
Nuff ah dem ah fight 'gainst slackness lyrics
Many people are against vulgar lyrics
You have to please, John Public
You have to please the general public
When you're dealin' with deh, Reggae music
When you are creating reggae music
Shabba Rankin', you a murder
Shabba Rankin, you are amazing
Want to be a musical ambassador
I want to be a representative of reggae music
Is a new page me turn over
This is a fresh start for me
Some of dem ah bawl how dem want culture
Some people are calling for authenticity
I rather to stick to I culture
I prefer to stay true to my culture
Than to be a dirty character
Instead of being immoral or vulgar
Is a new page me turn over
I am starting fresh
Teach 'em just like a teacher
Teach them the way a teacher would
Make them listen to me like a pastor
Make them listen to me with respect, like they would a pastor
See how black people a suffer
Look at how much black people are still going through
Just because we don't stick together
We need to unite more
Ten time rise, and ten time fall
Sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail
Oh, Shabba is stronger then deh great China wall
Shabba is strong and powerful
Else you will fade out forever
Otherwise, you will disappear completely
Live good in your neighborhood
Be a positive and productive member of your community
Live good and live good as you should
Live well, as you rightfully deserve
Wine up yuh line if yuh love culture
Show your love for your culture through dance
Tell Shabba to stop being vulgar
Ask me to stop using inappropriate language
Change up mi style and ah change mi order
I am evolving and changing my approach
Have the lyrics now to teach the youngster
I have meaningful lyrics to teach the youth
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: R. GORDON, WINSTON RILEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@roaelentertainment9762
This is a well crafted song from the living legend King Of Dancehall Shabba Ranks
@melgod5500
POWERFUL ๐ถ! THEY DONT PLAY SONGS LIKE THIS BECAUSE THEY KNOW PEOPLE LIKE ME BE LISTENING!
@sugerlipsxjamiewright4170
SHABBA One. Of the Original! talents to spring from Jamaica. a place filled with some of the most talented people in my opinion. it has a abundanceโs of talented performers with individuality with the ability to inspire!โ๏ธ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ถโ๐พa rare quality!
@mubarekomer2512
#1luv
@roclobster1211
BET Awards need to recognize these Jamaican artists..
@tonyaberman6475
Shabba Ranks was prolific. His music was great!
@sugerlipsxjamiewright4170
I love the mix both lyrical informative it takes great skillset to do it in equal measure and yet keep it real an fresh without compromising what makes one stand out in the first place !by way of Originally this track example of clear quality.
@johnallocca5871
Why the hell does this song have only 192,000 hits??? It's a f-----g classic!!!
@Benny-zo3qh
Looks like people heard you!!
@jpecco9668
Kids dont know or get it